selling travel photos

Maria_F · #1 01-17-2009, 12:45 PM

Hi all
I realize that it is notoriously difficult to sell travel photos but I'd like to have a go and am looking for a bit of advice as where to start.
Has anyone experience of this?
cheers
Maria

DougAxford · #2 01-17-2009, 03:14 PM

Are you referring to photos of vacation resorts or photos of scenery?

Or are you wanting to spend the next year traveling the world and hoping that someone will pay you to do it?

If it's the 3rd option, I'll be glad to go with you and carry the spare camera.

DougA

David_Buzzard · #3 01-17-2009, 03:53 PM

Two ways to go about it. Hook up with an agency like iStock or Shuttterstock, as microstock seems to dominating the travel photo business. The downside to that is that you only get paid $1.00 a photo, or less. Otherwise, if you want to contact magazines and travel clients personally, and then you sign for Photoshelter (or something like that), that can handle e-commerce sales. Your clients can order directly from that.

Maria_F · #4 01-17-2009, 04:59 PM

Hi Doug - I WISH!! no, I just spend 3 weeks in Vietnam and have some photos that I thought might be worth trying to sell
cheers David, will have a think - but $1 a picture - how on earth does that work!!

David_Buzzard · #5 01-18-2009, 01:28 AM

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't, but that's were the market is. It's really trashed the market for travel photos.

Maria_F · #6 01-18-2009, 09:57 AM

I see, that's pretty rubbish.
Not sure if I can start chasing companies directly though as it takes so much time. Do you happen to know the UK equivalent of Photoshelter?
Fraid this is a whole new world to me, I've only ever sold direct to clients.
cheers
Maria

DougAxford · #7 01-18-2009, 11:34 AM

Just do a quick search on 'stock photo' and 'UK'. I agree with David, the stock photo industry has gone through the toilet. If you do more searching on some of them (Getty) you'll find lots of complaints about non-payment to photographers, lawsuits, etc.

All is not completely lost, there are still good agencies but the competition for both agencies and photographers is unbelievably fierce.

I'd spend a few days searching and give it a good try though. Your cost will be nothing but time and you just might have a look that clicks.

Doug